Hasbro decapitates Cranium's Seattle office

Updated 10:00 pm, Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Hasbro Inc. is shutting down the Seattle office of Cranium Inc., a board game franchise that was founded here, the company confirmed Thursday.

The last day of operation is May 29.

Pawtucket, R.I.-based Hasbro acquired Cranium in the first quarter of 2008 for $77.5 million, bringing Cranium into the Hasbro family that includes Monopoly, Clue, Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit.

"A decade ago, we set out to create a brand that would give everyone the chance to shine. We've accomplished that and so much more, making history with great products that have won five Toy Industry Association Game of the Year awards," Cranium co-founder Richard Tait said in a statement at the time of the acquisition. "Now, the next chapter in Cranium's story begins. The Cranium brand will benefit from the expertise and global presence of an industry leader, Hasbro, who is as passionate about games as we are."

The money that Hasbro paid for Cranium was used to pay off the Seattle company's debt and provide payment to Cranium's shareholders.

Cranium was invented in 1998. Its office is at 2025 First Ave. in Seattle.

The game will be merged into and run out of Hasbro's other offices.

"We said when we bought Cranium that we would take a year to look at the business and how we were doing it," Wayne Charness, a Hasbro spokesman said. "While these decisions are always difficult, the consolidation allows the Crainum brand to more fully benefit from leveraging shared services such as finance, packaging, design and operations."

Cranium employed 19 people in Seattle. Eleven will be layed off, and eight have been offered positions at other Hasbro offices, including one at Wizards of the Coast in Renton. The others would have to move to accept the new employment.

The employees will be offered "competitive severance benefits and outplacement services," Charness said.